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Going to Germany in November and December

12/19/2017

42 Comments

 
I just returned from a wonderful trip to Germany, where I visited friends and family. I enjoyed every minute and would love to have stayed longer. I took six train rides, criss-crossing  Germany. First I went to my family farm for a week. While on the farm I visited some nearby towns. 
Northeim in Germany
My father was born in Northeim, 10 km from my village
Waffles in Northeim
My girlfriend and I had this fabulous waffle with fresh fruit, ice-cream and fruit sauce in our favorite Italian Ice caffee in Northeim.  Our village is also near Göttingen, an old university town with the greatest Konditorei  (bakery) ever. Cron und Lanz has been baking delicacies since 1876. You get the best cookie ever when you order coffee or tea, as well other treats. I could not get enough this time and found a reason to get something from them every day.
Cron Lanz in Göttingen
Konditorei Cron and Lanz
After the village, I went to Lüneburg to visit my niece and her husband. While there, I went to the Christmas markets and a remarkable brewery museum. It was in an historical Sud house of an old brewery that started in 1485. Lüneburg is the cutest postcard-perfect German town.
Lüneburg, Germany
Das Brauereimuseum
Lüneburg, Germany
brewery museum in Lüneburg
Then my niece and I spent a wonderful weekend in Berlin. Since she is often in Berlin on business, she took me to all her favorite places. My young friend, Tara, also lives in Berlin and they had a great time together.
Kaffee Zuckerstück
Christmasmarket in Berlin
 I took a long train ride (about 6 hours ) to Augsburg to visit an old friend from my boarding school days. We had coffee and cake in a Hundertwasser house chocolaterie, in the style of a famous Austrian artist. Traveling alone and visiting friends made me feel young and adventurous again.
Train ride
Going on the train from Berlin to Augsburg
Königsbrunn Bavaria
Königsbrunn Bavaria
But I am back home in California now, trying to get ready for the holidays. It takes me a good week to adjust. Part of me is still in Germany and the other part is ready to be home here in Santa Cruz. These last days before Christmas will be busy for me. Even with a cold, I managed to bake my favorite cookies and make some persimmon bread. 
Chocolate Walnut Tart
I made my chocolate walnut pie using pecans instead. It’s a great dessert that can be made days ahead of time. I will serve it as dessert when I make my cioppino  dinner.
Chocolate hazelnut Bark
One of my favorite treats is my fruit and chocolate bark. This year, I used whole hazelnuts and yellow raisins mixed with some dried cranberries. I bought a very expensive bark like this not long ago. I used roasted hazelnuts from Trader Joe’s. It was a cinch to make.
Vanilla Kipferl
Another favorite cookie of mine is the Austrian Kipferl, a crescent-shaped pastry, which is an ancestor of the French croissant. I rolled them in my homemade vanilla sugar.
Persimmon Bread
A  friend’s son gave me boxes of persimmons from his gorgeous tree. I made my persimmon bread and persimmon chutney, which took some trial and error. I will post the recipe in 2018

Did I say 2018? The passage of time amazes me and seems to go by faster the older we get. I like this quote from Heather Babcock, “ Time doesn’t really march on. It tends to tip-toe. There is no parade. No stomping of boots that it is passing. One day, you turn around and it’s gone.“
And with that, I wish all of you holidays that are peaceful and tranquil, filled with love, warmth and good food. A special thanks to all the people (I am amazed at how many of you there are) who are taking the time to visit my little blog. 

Fröhliche Weihnachten and may your New Year be filled with hope and happiness.

​If you  click on the highlighted words you will get to the blog posts and recipes.
Picture
a cold but happy traveler
42 Comments
Birgit Weskamp link
12/19/2017 06:30:05 pm

What a lovely trip! I almost felt homesick, and I certainly miss all the baked goodies. And how nicely the tea is served at Cron und Lanz. Anyway, I felt like I was traveling with you. Frohe Weihnachten!!

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gerlinde
12/19/2017 06:38:33 pm

One of these days we will have a treat together at Cron and Lanz.

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John / Kitchen Riffs link
12/20/2017 08:01:08 am

What a neat trip! You must have had so much fun! Love the pictures -- really interesting. Fun read -- thanks. And Happy Holidays!

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Gerlinde
12/20/2017 08:10:07 am

Happy Holidays to you John!

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Karen (Back Road Journal) link
12/20/2017 10:19:24 am

What a lovely time you must have had...even a little snow. Fröhliche Weihnachten Gerlinde.

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Gerlinde
12/21/2017 05:32:19 pm

Thank you Karen and a Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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Pamela link
12/20/2017 12:54:40 pm

How do you eat all of these wonderful fabulous delicious things and stay so svelte and young-looking?! I'm printing out your recipes (again). Your photos make me want to visit Germany (last time was in 1971 - yikes!). Beautiful towns. Farm. Friends. Yes, I understand having a foot in one place, and the other foot in the other. I returned from a too-quick trip to SF (visited son and grandsons - only 5 days) and returned also with a cold, but wonderful memories. Merry Christmas Gerlinde!

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Pamela link
12/20/2017 12:58:45 pm

PS - do you have the recipe for that chocolate PECAN pie in one of your posts? (I'll substitute pecans also). It looks luscious.

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Gerlinde
12/20/2017 02:30:08 pm

Oops, I forgot to put a link to my chocolate walnut pie that is really not a pie but a German tart. I fixed the link, just be aware this cake is a little time consuming and the crust crumbles, I use my hand to shape it into the pie pan. However, it is delicious and can be kept for days. I just had a little nibble! Thank you for all your compliments, I appreciate them. Merry Christmas to you Pamela.

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Pamela link
12/21/2017 04:26:40 am

Got it! (the recipe) It looks so good, but alas, I do not have a food processor. I suppose I can still make it, just an even more crumbly crust (which doesn't bother me in the least). I just showed my guy your pictures. He agreed - what a fabulous country that we should visit. If we do, he wants names of restaurants from you. :-)

Gerlinde
12/21/2017 05:42:20 pm

Pam, you could freeze the butter and grate it into the flour and sugar, then add the other ingredients and with your hands form the dough into a flat disk. Cover with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge for a hour or longer. That might work. You will need a mixer to beat the egg white for the meringue. Good luck and let me know how it turned out.

Marge H.
12/20/2017 01:33:52 pm

I always enjoy reading your blog (even tho I don't comment) Merry Christmas to you and Will.

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Gerlinde
12/20/2017 02:35:22 pm

Oh Marge, it is so nice to hear from you. I hope you and HN have a wonderful Christmas and we get to see each other more often this year.

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Mimi link
12/20/2017 03:35:44 pm

What a lovely post. Fröhliche Weihnachten!

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Gerlinde
12/20/2017 04:17:11 pm

And a Fröhliche Weihnachten to you Mimi and a Happy New Year

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Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen link
12/20/2017 04:05:15 pm

It always sounds like you have such a wonderful time and enjoy so many delicious things to eat!! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas Gerlinde and a happy and healthy New Year!

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Gerlinde
12/20/2017 04:19:45 pm

Thank you, and the same to you Mary Ann, enjoy the holidays and the New Year.

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Teagan
12/20/2017 04:11:55 pm

What a magical post, Gerlinde! Lovely people, places, and food. I'm so glad you enjoyed your stay.
Welcome home. Merry Christmas hugs.

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Gerlinde
12/20/2017 04:24:30 pm

Thank you Teagan, you are always so kind. Merry Christmas hugs to you.

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Liz link
12/20/2017 05:34:17 pm

Lovely post, thank you. As another reader commented "I don't know how you stay so slender with all those delicious pastries." You captured the spirit of Germany in the Christmas season.

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Gerlinde
12/20/2017 05:41:45 pm

Thank you Liz, I can let you in on a little secret, I am not slender. Merry Christmas to you!

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Anne link
12/21/2017 12:04:42 am

Time does indeed tip-toe by and suddenly disappear. Every time I see you photos of Germany, I decide I must visit. One day ...

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Gerlinde
12/22/2017 01:55:57 pm

Germany is not that far away from you. Merry Christmas Anne!

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Darlene Foster link
12/21/2017 01:54:29 am

What a fabulous trip. I love all the German baking. Have a wonderful Christmas at home. Your guests will love the Chocolate pecan pie!

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Gerlinde
12/22/2017 02:11:42 pm

Thanks Darlene , everyone seemed to enjoy the pecan pie. I served it with whipped cream, raspberry sauce and fresh raspberries.

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Deb|EastofEdenCooking link
12/21/2017 05:27:23 am

Such a heart felt and nostalgic post! You must be torn, Christmas with your birth family in Germany or in your new home in California. I can easily say that I'm happy we've met and become friends. Glad that Santa Cruz is a short drive away. Merry Christmas Gerlinde!

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Gerlinde
12/22/2017 02:16:06 pm

Your friendship is one of the best things that came from this blog. Merry Christmas to you and family Deb.

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Healthy World Cuisine link
12/21/2017 05:57:17 am

Gerlinde it has been a blast following you along on your trip via social media. So delighted you were able to go home, enjoy family and friends and make some and eat some delicious treats along the way. Can't wait to read more about your persimmons cake. Wishing you and your family a very safe holiday and super 2018!

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Gerlinde
12/22/2017 02:20:34 pm

Thank you so much, I enjoy posting photos on Instagram. Have a great Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year Bobbie!

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Jean | DelightfulRepast.com link
12/21/2017 03:33:10 pm

Gerlinde, I so enjoyed reading about and seeing pictures of your travels. What beautiful places you visited! Yes, time is flying. Have a wonderful 2018!

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Gerlinde
12/22/2017 02:21:53 pm

I agree, time is flying! I hope your holidays are filled with joy and happiness.

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sippitysup link
12/21/2017 05:33:47 pm

Pretty pics. But it looks cold. The Californian in me shivers. However, on a whole other subject. Way back in the 1970s Michigan I had a friend whose name was Kevin Gotting. They were of German decent and the tall tale he always told at school was that there was a whole town named after him in Germany. We kids laughed. Now I wonder. GREG

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Gerlinde
12/22/2017 02:25:41 pm

Google told me that there is a town with the name of Gotting near Munich. Enjoy the holidays!

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Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert link
12/22/2017 04:50:16 am

I love to read all about your wonderful adventures Gerlinde. Beautiful photos and wonderful country. You've been baking some gorgeous treats and I hope you and yours have a blessed Christmas holiday. 2018? Yup not sure how we got there already :(

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Gerlinde
12/22/2017 02:29:41 pm

Thank you for all the wonderful comments , I appreciate them. Wishing you the best of holidays and a healthy New Year.

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Frank link
12/23/2017 05:20:19 am

Looks like a holiday full of wonderful sights and sounds--and tastes. The view out that train window looks like something out of a fairy tale.

Merry Christmas to you and yours, Gerlinde!

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Gerlinde
12/23/2017 06:52:50 am

Thanks Frank, the view out of that train was spectacular but it was almost impossible to capture it with my iPhone. Merry Christmas to you.

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David link
12/23/2017 09:05:09 am

Just gorgeous! I dream of going back to Germany for Christmas (I spent one in Würzburg, and several in Heidelberg...) - such wonderful memories! Thanks for “taking us along” on your trip! Alles Gute für ein schönes Weihnachtsfest!

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David
12/23/2017 10:04:38 am

David , auch ich wünsche ich ein frohes Weihnachtsfest und alles gute fürs Neue Jahr.

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Liz link
12/31/2017 05:48:16 pm

Happy New Year, Gerlinde!!! Thanks for sharing your adventure with us---I'm still drooling over those baked goods!!

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Gerlinde
1/1/2018 04:00:36 pm

The cakes and other sweets at Crown and Lanz are out of this world.

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Thrifty Campers link
1/23/2018 07:36:43 am

I have always wanted to travel to Germany. I bet the food there is good.🙂

Reply



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